Scottish VFX expert lands deal with HBO Max for The Penguin

A Scottish visual effects (VFX) specialist has recently secured a significant project with HBO Max’s upcoming series, “The Penguin.” This achievement comes as part of a Screen Scotland initiative aimed at promoting Scottish post-production and VFX studios, particularly in the wake of a decline in post-production activities following the SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023.

The initiative, known as the PGF Project Post pilot funding, was designed to attract large-scale film and television productions to Scotland. Notably, Glasgow-based production company FixFX was responsible for the VFX work on “The Penguin,” a series set in the world of Batman’s Gotham.

Colin Kennedy, the CEO of FixFX, expressed his excitement about the opportunity, stating, “It is a real privilege to have had our FixFX team working on such a high-profile show as The Penguin. It’s the perfect showcase for the kind of specialist beauty work that FixFX is gaining a reputation for.” Kennedy highlighted the collaboration with HBO’s award-winning makeup team to bring the character of Oswald Cobblepot, also known as the Penguin, to life.

David Smith, Director of Screen Scotland, emphasized the significance of attracting post-production work to Scotland, noting that while physical production often occurs on location, post-production work can be done remotely and requires specialized skills. Through the PGF Project Post fund, Screen Scotland has successfully collaborated with FixFX and other Scottish facilities to secure post-production work for projects that were not physically filmed in Scotland.

Smith further added, “It is really encouraging that just in this pilot phase of the fund we’ve managed to attract projects of the scale and ambition of The Penguin to work in Scotland, enabling us to showcase Scottish post-production/VFX talent globally on a critically acclaimed series.”

The success of securing “The Penguin” project underscores the growing reputation of Scottish studios and locations within the global film and television industry. With recent projects like Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” and Douglas Mackinnon’s “Good Omens 2,” Scotland has become a sought-after destination for filmmakers seeking top-notch crew, studios, and scenic locations.

The collaboration between FixFX and HBO Max on “The Penguin” serves as a testament to the talent and capabilities of the Scottish post-production and VFX industry. By attracting high-profile projects like this, Scotland continues to position itself as a hub for creative excellence in the world of entertainment.